Reindeer Don't Need 17 Heavy Shock Absorbers To Quell Vibrations...

Santa Claus is one of the most enduring symbols of the holiday season. When you think about it, the fact he continues to be so popular is especially surprising... given the widespread abuse of his name and image by marketers.

As if it wasn't bad enough that he's impersonated in thousand of shopping malls and at hundreds of car dealer lots every year, no less than outgoing US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters last week attempted to use an announcement of special "Santa Skylanes" in US airspace to salvage some credibility for anti-congestion measures the airlines say are at best symbolic.

Now comes NASA. In a release sent out Tuesday, the agency attempts to deflect criticism of its troubled Constellation manned space program by publicly inviting Santa to tour the Kennedy Space Center while he's out on Christmas Eve, and see the progress being made on the Ares I rocket.  

NASA's outreach specifically invites St. Nick to Launch Pad 39B, where a giant crane is hoisting components of what will one day be the lightning protection system for Ares launches. The first launch is scheduled for July of next year... assuming NASA's less-than elegant strategy to deal with excessive vibration of the rocket is implemented successfully.

NASA's PR department goes so far as to discuss future visits by the Jolly Old Elf to future human colonies in space. "Word has it Santa's elves began constructing a similar launch pad and lightning protection system at the North Pole last year in preparation for Santa's sojourns to the stars."

We can't be too annoyed with NASA for using Santa in the same way that screaming car dealers do. After all, the Obama administration will take over in a few days, giving NASA Administrator Michael Griffin one more thing in common with the car dealers...

A year-end blow-out.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/constellation